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But he prevailed upon her to go on a bus tour around the Midwest instead, she said Friday at a George Washington University student forum. The effort to raise awareness of poverty grew into The One Campaign.

This was a key part, in Judd’s own telling, of her transformation into an activist who is now laying the groundwork to challenge Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell in Kentucky next year.

But the potential Democratic candidate ignored what she herself jokingly referred to as the “elephant in the room” during a 90-minute appearance. Judd’s appearance was full of seemingly unscripted remarks — including mentions of her dog’s diet and admitting “eye-kissing” her famous mother mid-presentation — that one wouldn’t necessarily expect from someone gearing up to take on one of the most powerful members of Congress.

About 150 guests — and six television cameras — came for what the university billed as a “conversation” on women’s reproductive rights. It was Judd’s first appearance before Washington media — which were invited — since she began seriously exploring a Senate bid.

“No talk is ever complete without talking about Bono,” Judd said in a 15-minute speech, delivered from notes behind a podium. “Did y’all love his Ted talk? He’s amazing. He’s the real deal.”

Judd also declared that she has “a dog that’s on a hunger strike.”

“He only wants cheese,” she said.

She mentioned a conversation with her “bonus niece” — something that might seem foreign to voters in the South.

Judd started 14 minutes late. After her speech, she fielded 14 questions, spending nearly an hour in a friendly back-and-forth with the audience.

She alluded to the presence of reporters at the back of the room. But Judd then ignored shouted questions about whether she will run, as a security detail whisked her away after the event.

“I’m a lot more nervous than y’all are,” she told one student who said her hand was trembling. “I mean there are people [here] who don’t give a rats you-know-what about public health.”

Judd’s 14th fawning questioner said, “I know you may be running for office … but I’m not asking you about that.” She asked instead about inequality.

Judd joked, “Is there an elephant in the room?” Then she moved on.

As she has become seemingly more serious about running, Judd has increasingly sought to avoid scrutiny. She’s refused to grant TV or print interviews, even with in-state press. The last time she engaged with the media was as a surrogate for President Barack Obama and as a delegate — from Tennessee — to the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte.